MPS school resource officers, lawsuit filed over lack of compliance
MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) is suing Milwaukee Public Schools in an effort to reinstate school resource officers as required by state law.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of an MPS parent, asks the court to make MPS "immediately comply" with Act 12. The law required at least 25 officers to be reinstated across the district and went into effect back in January.
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The parent at the center of the lawsuit said she did not want it to come to this point, but she believes the school district is showing a blatant disregard for the law. She said she and her six kids are products of Milwaukee Public Schools, and safety is a huge issue; she said she constantly sees violence.
"I think MPS is such a rogue institution, they do what they want to do," said Charlene Abughrin. "It's just blatant disregard for the law."
In particular, Abughrin said she has had two of her kids get concussions as a result of school violence: "One got slammed on his head at an MPS school and another got hit in his head with a padlock."
In 2020, the district’s school board fully ended MPS' contract with police. Abughrin told FOX6 News legal action is her way to force MPS into compliance.
"All the way back in the summer of 2023 is when MPS knew that this was going to be a requirement for schools," she said. "It really angers me that the number is only 25."
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There have been questions about when school resource officers will return – and who will pay for it. Officials said discussions among attorneys on both sides took place as recently as Wednesday morning. It is the position of both Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Common Council President Jose Perez that the services MPS receives from the Milwaukee Police Department should be paid for by the school district.
MPS offered a statement that said, in part: "Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) remains ready to implement a School Resource Officer (SRO) program as soon as officers are available. As MPS does not employ, hire, or train City of Milwaukee police officers, the district is waiting for the city to provide resources for the program."
Abughrin said other parents have bene reaching out to her to express interest in the lawsuit. Her lawyer said anyone interested should reach out to the law firm.
MPS still lacks school resource officers; deadline past due
The deadline passed nine months ago for Milwaukee Public Schools to bring back school resource officers.
Statements
WILL Associate Counsel, Lauren Greuel
"Milwaukee families send their children to MPS with the expectation that their safety is an utmost priority. Failing to provide SROs has left students vulnerable and has forced Milwaukee police officers—through 9-1-1 calls—to pick up the slack when schools need assistance. MPS’ failure to follow this law harms the entirety of Milwaukee by not only disregarding the safety of students but also by draining the resources of MPD that are needed elsewhere."
Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) remains ready to implement a School Resource Officer (SRO) program as soon as officers are available. As MPS does not employ, hire, or train City of Milwaukee police officers, the district is waiting for the city to provide resources for the program. The district recently reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department to initiate the process to select officers, but this request was denied.
MPS has taken Act 12 very seriously from the beginning, engaging with city partners to build a sustainable SRO program. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that facilitates implementation of an SRO program was agreed upon by all stakeholders in September. Since that time, the City Attorney’s Office has requested changes that MPS agreed to. The district is now waiting for the City Attorney’s Office to return the updated MOU. Even with minor adjustments, MPS remains ready to begin the program once officers are selected and trained.
All parties continue to engage in financial negotiations related to this program, which is the result of a shared revenue agreement negotiated by the City of Milwaukee to receive approximately $200 million dollars in new revenue annually. The shared revenue agreement requires those funds to be directed to public safety, including law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services. MPS is not a recipient of these funds.
MPS looks forward to working with MPD to begin the process to select and train officers who are committed to improving relationships among schools, law enforcement, youth, and the greater community.
The safety of students and staff is a top priority for MPS. The district has a comprehensive safety program in place, which includes the employment of more than 230 safety officers in MPS schools. This program will continue until, and after, the SRO program is implemented in the district.
As far as the lawsuit specifically is concerned, MPS cannot comment on pending litigation.
Milwaukee parent and WILL client, Charlene Abughrin
"I think MPS needs to take their input from the parents and put those safety resource officers in the school. Otherwise, it's just reckless and dangerous behavior left unchecked. No discipline, no consequences. What are we teaching our kids?"
Spokesperson for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Milwaukee Public Schools misrepresents the status of the negotiation with the city. Discussions took place as recently as this morning between attorneys for both sides. It is the position of both the Mayor and the Common Council President that the services MPS receives from the Milwaukee Police should be paid by the school district. Insincere public statements from MPS do not advance good faith discussions.
This is a developing story.